Reading-desk



(No Model.)

A. J. WILL-IPORD.

READING DESK.

No. 389,038. Patented Sept. 4, 1888.

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UNITED STATES Parent @rricn,

ANDREXV .T. XVILLTFORD, O' NOKOMIS, lLLlNOlS.

READING=DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 389,033, dated September 1888.

Application filed Mari-h 1T, ISSS. Serial No. 267,517.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. XVILLIFORD, of Nokomis, in the county of Montgomery and State of Illinois, have invented a new and linprovcd Reading-Desk, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved reading-desk which is simple and durable in construction, ornamental in appearance, and can he quickly adjusted to any desired position for reading conveniently.

The invention consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as will be fully described hereinafter,and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to he had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the int provement. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of part of the improvement on the line a; x ofFig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of part of the improvement on the line y of Fig. 2.

The improved reading-desk is preferably made in its principal parts of wire; but other suitable material may be employed. The reading-desk is provided with a stand or frame, A, having standards B B, connected with each other at the top by a suitable crosspiece, 0, so that the lower part between the standards B is entirely free for the readers legs.

On the standards B of the frame A is held vertically adjustable an inverted- U -shaped bar, E, having its ends E passed through eyes D and D, formed on the outer sides of the said standards B, said eyes D and D being located one above the other, and in each eye D a set-screw, F, screws against the end E of the U-shaped bar E, so that the latter can be adjusted to any desired height on the frame A.

On the middle part, E", of the U-shaped bar E is mounted to turn the b00k-1 '6$l3 G, provided on its lower end with an angular ollt'set, G, against which rests the lower edge of the book when supported by the bookrest G.

(No model.)

On the under side of the boolcrest G, at each end, is secured a semicircular bar, H, passing through an eye, J, said eyes J being formed on the inner sides of the ends E of the U- shaped bnr E. A set-screw, K, screws into each end E opposite the said eye J and against the semicircular bar H, so that the latter can be fastened to the eye J by the set-screw K.

The operation is as follows: hen the operator desires to use the reading desk, he first adjusts the boolcrest G to any desired angle by loosening the setscrews K, and thus permitting the rest G to swing on the part of the U-shaped bar E. \Vhen the book-rest G is swung to the desired angle, the set-screws K are screwed inward and against the semicircular bars H, so that the book-rest G is a fixed part of the U-shaped bar E. The latter, with its hook-rest G, can be moved up or down on the stand A by loosening the set-screws F and then moving the ends E up or down until the desired position is reached, after which the set-screws F are again screwed up against the ends E. The operator then places the book on the book-rest G, with the back of the book resting on the back of the book-rest G and the lower edge of the book resting against the angular projection G, formed on the lower part of the book-rest G. Thus it will be seen that the operator can adjust the reading-desk to any desired height, according to his position in front of the desk. It will further be seen that the entire reading-desk is very simple in construction, ornamental in appearance. and is very light, so that it can easily be moved about in the room.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Parent- 1. In a reading-desk, the combination of the inclined standards having arched cross-pieces at their upper ends and eyes on their sides, of an inverted metallic Ll-shaped supportingbar having a cylindrical cross or top piece, its ends being placed in said eyes, a book-support loosely mounted on said top, semicircular bars rigidly secured to said top and passing through eyes on said U shaped bar,and th u mbscrews for retaining the adjustment of the several parts.

2. In a reading-desk, the combination, with secured to said support G and passing through Lheinclined metallic supports B, having arched the eyes J, and set-screws F and K, for retain- [O connecting-bars at their tops and eyes D and ing the adjustment of the several parts, sub

1) on their sides, the vertically-adjustable U- stantially as described.

5 shaped bar E, working in said eyes, eyes J, ANDREW J. WILLIFORD.

formed on the vertical sides of the bar E, a \Vitnesses: loosely-mounted support, G, on the horizontal H. F. ROOD,

portion of bar E, semicircular bars H, rigidly J. L. 1VIANNING. 

